Chip's Nation camps out | Community Spirit

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SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- They call themselves "Chip's Nation" -- a nation made up of friends, family members and supporters of Chip Madren.

Chip Madren is a Sandy Springs seventh grader who is battling brain cancer. This weekend, "Chip's Nation" camped out on a soccer field to show their support and raise money for Chip and his family.

Click "Read More" to see pictures from the campout.

Last year, Chip went through several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The surgery was so invasive, it took away Chip's ability to speak. But Chip didn't need words to show his gratitude and excitement when he made a surprise visit to the campsite Saturday night.

"Chip, with his mom on one side and his dad on the other, and all his brothers and cousins drove in and took a few laps and the kids just cheered, and that's why we're here -- to lift [Chip] up and and help him get better," said Martha Renkoski, one of the campout's organizers. "To have him here, we never thought he could make it to the campout, we thought we'd just send him a few pictures, but they're here and he didn't want to go home . . . he's still here! I love it!"

Families paid $100 each for a campsite. All the money raised went to the the Madren family to help them with their expenses. People also donated food and volunteered to make the fundraiser a success.